Boxing: Bird claims the ref robbed him of success

Peterborough light-middleweight JJ Bird was left screaming robbery after a controversial defeat in Newark on Saturday night.

Peterborough light-middleweight JJ Bird was left screaming robbery after a controversial defeat in Newark on Saturday night.Bird and most ringsiders at Grove Leisure Centre were left stunned when referee Nigel Gill handed unbeaten southpaw Dale Miles the points verdict after their four-round fight.

Gill scored the fight 39-38 to the chunky southpaw from Alfreton – despite Bird appearing to win three of the four rounds with his skillful, long-range boxing.

The loss is a setback to the former Phoenix ABC amateur following June's points win over former British and European title challenger David Walker and he wants a rematch with Miles.

"I thought I won all four rounds," said the 22 year old.

"There wasn't much more I could have done apart from put him on the floor.

"I'm my own biggest critic. I know when I've boxed badly and lost. But there's no way I lost that fight.

"I'm not taking anything away from Dale. He was a good, strong opponent. It's just that it was a bad decision.

"Unfortunately these things happen in boxing and hopefully I will get the chance to put the record straight."

Bird, using his height and reach advantages to good effect, appeared to control the opening two rounds against a chunky southpaw unbeaten in his first four professional fights.

Miles was straight on the attack at the opening bell, but Bird kept moving, making him miss and slotting home jabs and rights down the middle.

Bird came back with better shots on the rare occasions he was caught cleanly after being tracked down and forced to stand and trade and seemed to be in charge at the halfway stage.

Miles had a better third after unsettling Bird early in the session with a flurry, but the Peterborough boxer was back in charge in the last.

He matched Miles blow for blow in an exchange at the start of the session and then got behind his jab to pick him off.

But the referee rewarded Miles for his aggression and that didn't please Bird's coach Gary De Roux.

"I thought JJ only took five punches throughout the fight," said the former British featherweight champion.

"I can't see how he lost, but these things happen and we definitely want a rematch."

Bird's stablemate Jamie Spence missed out on boxing on the same bill after a delay over him being granted a medical.

He said the mix up has been resolved and added: "I can't wait to get back in there."